Steam-trap.



J. B. MGKEOWN.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION IILEI) MAR. 9, 1910.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

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J. B. MGKEOWN.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1910. 985,362.. Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

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1 Li I Z 1 z W 24 i 1/ JOSEPH B. MCKEOWN, 0F UNION HILL, NEW JERSEY.

STEAM-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Application filed March 9, 1910. Serial No. 548,122.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn: B. MoKEowN, a citizen of the United States,residing in Union Hill, Hudson county, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Traps, of whichthe following is specification.

My improvements relate to steam traps in which provision is made for thedischarge of water of condensation from a water receptacle as herein setforth.

The invention consists in the specific construction and arrangement ofparts hcrein after described and claimed, distinguishing features beingthe supporting of the float and outlet control mechanism entering withinthe water receptacle, so that the latter is self contained and may beremoved laterally from the valve chest; the valve chest itself to whichthe water receptacle is detachably secured, said valve chest beingreversible .in character in that it is so formed and arranged that theinlet and outlet pipe connections may be made at either end as may befound most expedient.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l, is a plan of my improved steamtrap with the cover removed; Fig. 2, is an elevation of the waterreceptacle the side of which is broken away in partto show the interior;Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation of the valve chest upon an enlargedscale taken on the plane of line 33 Fig. 1; Fig. l, is a sectionalelevation taken upon the plane of the line 4ft Fig. 1; Fig. 5, is avertical section of the float.

The water receptacle or tank A, may be of cylindrical or other desiredform and is closed by a cover a. It is also preferably provided with awater gage G, by means of which the level of water within the tank maybe ascertained. On one side near its bottom, the tank is formed with twoport holes a, a bored to center, as indicated by the radial dotted lines1, 2, Fig. 1. These holes a, a are both threaded and adapted to receivethe threaded shank b, of the exit plug B, formed with the eXit passageZ). Hence either of the port holes a, or (1 may be utilized in arrangingfor the discharge of the liquid contents of the water receptacle A.

Piivotally attach-ed to the inner portion of the exit plug B, is thefloat lever C, the shorter and lower arm 0, of which carricsthe valve a,controlling the exit passage 6, in

the usual manner. Coupled to the other end of the lever C, by suitablelinks or connections f, is the float l which is of peculiar constructionin that .it is composed of a plurality of sealed tubes or independentfloat chambers f, 7, 7, f, f. Four or any desired number of theseannular float chambers may be used, the floats being relatively adaptedin size and capacity to the requirements of the water receptacle A. Thefloat chambers are each preferably circular in cross section andsutiiciently numerous (in View of the requisite displacement andbuoyancy) and of such peripheral diameter to constitute essentially acylindrical float within the center of which the water of condensationhas free access and play. To facilitate the freedom of circulation theadjacentsuperposed annular float chambers are preferably separated moreor less from each other to afl'ord spaces 6, 6, through which the wateris free to flow. This maybe accomplished by spacing and supportingblocks 0, interposed between the annular chambers 7, f f f or by resortto any other mechanical expedient as may be found mostdesirable.

It is to be noted in this connection that the float and exit controllingparts are entirely within and attached to the water receptacle, which isthus self contained in the sense that it can be removed bodily from thevalve chest H, without disconnecting the exit plug B, float lever orother parts within the tank, it being only necessary to unscrew the studbolts J, J, which bind itto the valve chest H, after which the waterreceptacle A, may be withdrawn from the valve chest H, laterally in anydirection without disturbing the valve chest and its pipe connections.This is a matter of importance where space is circun'iscribed,especially where the water receptacle is situated against a wall.

The valve chest H, is formed with the valve chambers Jr, h, each formedwith a threaded lateral passage 71 It, for pipe connections. These valvechambers it, a", and their accessories are duplicates in everyparticular. 71. b are brass bushings formed with internal and externalscrew threads and seated on the steps It", it, formed in the body of thevalve chest H. Below these bushings are the passages h, it, connectingand coinciding with the holes a, (4 in the side of the water receptacleA. I, I, are screw plug valves engaging with the internal threads of thebushings, which latter essentially perform the function of valve seats.The screw plug valves 1, I, are

formed with axial lower passages i, 2

opening into lateral passages 2' i, extending through the screw plugs.The lower parts of the valve plugs are threaded to atford a looserunning fit up to the level of the top of the lateral ports or passagesi 2', above which the plugs are slightly tapered to insure a close titwhen the valve plugs are screwed down sufiiciently to close said lateralopenings. The stems 2', of the valve plug 1, I, pass through caps 7a,7a", and are provided with the usual handles 70*, 70

The valve chambers h, h, are connected by means of a by-pass passage m,m, in which is interposed a screw plug valve N, similar in constructionand operation to the valves 1 1. Normally this valve N is closed, beingonly opened when it is desired to disconnect the water receptacle A,from the valve chest H.

The practical operation of my apparatus will be readily understood.During normal conditions the by-pass valve N, is closed and the valves1, I, are open. Either of: the valves 1, I, may be used respectively asinlet and discharge valves, according to which of the holes a, (1, inthe side of the tank A, the exit plug B is connected with. In otherwords the valve chest is reversible in use, since the inlet or dischargepipes may be connected with either valve chambers, as may be found mostconvenient or expedient in running the pipe connections,the position ofthe exit plug being regulated accordingly. This is an importantadvantage when the trap has to be installed in odd or circumscribedsituations. When for any reason it is desired to remove the waterreceptacle A, the valves 1, I", are closed and the valve N is openedthereby insuring communication between the inlet and discharge pipes.The tap bolts J, J, may then be loosened and the tank raised verticallyor I slid horizontally away from the valve chest without disturbing anyof the pipe conneci tions.

It is to be understood that my valve chest may be used in connectionwith expansion control and bucket control as well as with float controltraps, as herein described by way of illustrating the practicalapplication of this feature of my invention.

hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a water receptacle oi' the character designated, the combinationof the outlet control mechanism contained and supported therein, a valvechest containing inlet and discharge valves, chambers in which saidvalves are mounted, a by-pass connecting said chambers, a valve in saidby-pass, and detachable means for securing the water receptacle to saidvalve chest, for the purpose described.

2. The combination of a water receptacle trol mechanism in said waterreceptacle adapted to be connected with either of said port holes, adetachable valve chest formed with duplicate ports coinciding with thosein the water receptacle, and also formed with duplicate valve chambersand passages, and duplicate valves in said valve chambers, whereby theinlet and outlet connections may be reversed in the manner and for thepurpose described.

8. The combination of a water receptacle formed with duplicate portholes, outlet control mechanism in said water receptacle adapted to beconnected with either of said port holes, a detachable chest formed withduplicate passages and ports coinciding with those in the waterreceptacle, and valves controlling said passages in the chest for thepurpose and substantially in the manner described.

JOSEPH B. MoKEOVVN. lVitnesses Gno. M. Mm'r'r, D. WV. GARDNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

formed with duplicate port holes, outlet con-

